Joseph Trepina

Joseph Trepina, 95, a lifelong resident of Big Sandy passed away on Thursday, May 16, 2013 of natural causes at a local care facility.A funeral liturgy is scheduled for Friday, May 31, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Big Sandy. Schnider Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.Joe was born on March 23, 1918 at the family homestead by Iliad, Montana, 30 miles SE of Big Sandy. He was one of eight children which included his twin sister, Elizabeth. Joe was 6 years old when his father was killed in 1924. Mrs. Trepina then rented out the farm and moved to Big Sandy where Joe attended school, graduating in 1937. He was good at sports while in school and did exhibition boxing with the Golden Gloves in Great Falls. He ranked in the upper fourth of his class and was awarded a scholarship to Carroll College in Helena, but did not attend. The family moved to the Chicago area in 1939 where Joe worked as Athletic Director for the Works Project Admin. He also worked at Western Electric while in Chicago. He enlisted in the Army Air Force in March of 1942 where he attained the rank of Sergeant as an instructor. He received the American Theater Ribbon and Victory Medal. After his discharge in December of 1945 he spent some time with family in Chicago. He then began farming the family homestead in 1947.He married Dorothy Petrock in October of 1948.Joe began working as Water Superintendent for the town of Big Sandy in 1963. He retired from that job after 20 years in 1983.He was a Cub Scout leader; a bartender; mechanic; and Jack of all trades. He was a farmer at heart, but he also liked fishing; playing cards; and spending fun times with his family and friends.Joe is survived by his wife of 65 years Dorothy; sons James Trepina and wife Cheryl, Donald Trepina and wife Sheri; daughter Judith Glover and husband Richard; five grandchildren, Patrick (Andrea) Trepina, Anthony Trepina, Carmen (Reggie) Walker, Kristina Glover, and Michael Mooney; and six great grandchildren Mason and Evan Trepina, Danielle, Tr, and Joseph Walker, and Alexis Ochadleus.